If you’re ready for your taste buds to wake up and do a happy dance, there’s nothing quite like the Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe. This zingy, crunchy salad blends fresh cucumber slices with a creamy, nutty, and just-the-right-kind-of-spicy peanut sauce, making it the perfect side for any meal or even a standout snack on its own. With vibrant colors and explosive flavors, this dish proves you don’t need a mile-long ingredient list or a hot stove to achieve something incredible. Best of all, it’s ready in just 15 minutes, so you can enjoy maximum flavor with minimal fuss!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe so irresistible is how it relies on simple, everyday ingredients that each play a unique role. Every item in this list adds a layer of crunch, creaminess, heat, or a pop of freshness, creating a salad that’s both beautifully balanced and absolutely addictive.
- Cucumbers: Crisp and refreshing, they soak up all the bold flavors while delivering that signature crunch.
- Salt: Essential for drawing excess moisture from the cucumbers and boosting all the flavors.
- Creamy peanut butter: The hero of the sauce, lending nutty richness and velvety texture.
- Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami punch to balance the sweetness and acidity.
- Rice vinegar: Brings a bright tang to the sauce, keeping things light and lively.
- Sesame oil: Just a splash provides a toasty aroma and deepens the overall flavor.
- Honey or maple syrup: A swirl of sweetness offsets the heat, giving the sauce balance and complexity.
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce: Delivers a customizable kick, so you can make your salad as fiery as you like.
- Garlic, minced: Infuses the peanut sauce with savory depth and a little bite.
- Water: Used to thin the sauce, making it pourable and ready to envelope each cucumber slice.
- Chopped roasted peanuts: Optional but highly recommended for extra crunch and nutty flavor right on top.
- Sesame seeds: These tiny gems add subtle crunch and a touch of visual flair.
- Chopped fresh cilantro or green onion: A fresh and vibrant garnish that elevates the final dish.
How to Make Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Sweat the Cucumbers
Begin by slicing your cucumbers thin—think delicately crisp, not paper-thin. Place the slices in a colander and generously sprinkle with salt. This crucial step pulls out excess moisture and keeps your salad from getting watery. Let the cucumbers sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then pat them dry with paper towels. You’ll immediately notice the difference in texture and flavor!
Step 2: Whisk Up the Peanut Sauce
While the cucumbers do their thing, grab a small bowl and whisk together creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, sriracha (or chili garlic sauce), minced garlic, and water. Aim for a silky, pourable consistency that can easily coat each cucumber slice. Feel free to adjust the spice level here—start with less sriracha and add more until you hit your perfect heat.
Step 3: Toss Everything Together
Transfer your now-dry cucumber slices to a large mixing bowl. Pour the spicy peanut sauce evenly over the top, then toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring every piece gets a generous coating. The sauce should cling beautifully to the cucumbers, transforming them into glossy, delectable bites.
Step 4: Garnish and Finish
Scoop the dressed cucumbers into a serving dish. Now for the best part: top your creation with a scattering of chopped roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, and a handful of fresh cilantro or green onion if you like. Serve the Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe chilled or at room temperature—the flavors truly sing every way.
How to Serve Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Pull out all the stops on the final presentation with a generous sprinkle of chopped peanuts for crunch, a handful of sesame seeds for subtle nuttiness, and vibrant chopped cilantro or green onion for color and freshness. Feel free to add extra chili flakes for more heat or even a few ribbons of shaved carrot for extra flair—the dish is as beautiful as it is flavorful!
Side Dishes
Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe is endlessly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, tofu, or even on the side of your favorite Asian-inspired noodle bowls. Try serving it alongside sticky rice, satay skewers, or as a cool contrast to spicy wings or dumplings. The bright flavors make it the ultimate palate refresher.
Creative Ways to Present
Try plating this salad individually in small bowls or serve as lettuce cups for a hands-on appetizer. For a party twist, layer the cucumber salad on crisp wonton crackers, or mix in colorful veggies like shredded carrots and thin bell pepper strips for a rainbow effect. Whether you go rustic or elegant, this Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe looks gorgeous every way.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store the Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and crisp for up to 2 days; just be aware that the cucumbers may release some additional liquid over time, so toss well before serving again.
Freezing
This isn’t a dish that takes kindly to freezing, as cucumbers become mushy when thawed. For the best texture and crunch, enjoy this salad freshly made or within a day or two of preparing.
Reheating
No reheating needed! This salad is all about being cool and refreshing. If it’s been in the fridge, simply give it a good stir before serving. For the most vibrant flavor, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before digging in.
FAQs
Can I use another nut or seed butter instead of peanut butter?
Absolutely! Almond butter or sunflower seed butter work beautifully in this dish if you need a peanut-free option. Each will give the Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe its own delicious twist, so feel free to experiment based on dietary needs or what you have on hand.
How can I make the sauce even spicier?
If you’re a true heat-seeker, feel free to add an extra squirt of sriracha, a dash of chili flakes, or a splash of chili oil to bring the fire. Just taste as you go—the beauty of this recipe is you can control the spice level to suit everyone at the table.
Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
The spicy peanut sauce can easily be made a few days in advance. Store it in an airtight jar in the fridge, give it a stir before using, and pour over your cucumbers when you’re ready to serve. It makes assembling the Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe even faster!
What kind of cucumbers are best?
Persian or English cucumbers work especially well due to their thin skins and drier flesh. They stay super crunchy and don’t need peeling, making your prep even easier. However, any cucumber will do—just slice thin and remove large seeds if using standard slicing cucumbers.
Is this recipe vegan and gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan version, and make sure you opt for gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. The core ingredients in the Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe are naturally plant-based and adaptable to almost any dietary preference.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe enough for anyone looking to brighten up their table with something quick, fresh, and bursting with flavor. Once you try it, I guarantee it’ll earn a permanent spot in your warm-weather recipe rotation. Gather your ingredients, give it a toss, and watch it disappear!
Print
Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A refreshing and flavorful dish, Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce is a delightful blend of crisp cucumbers coated in a creamy, tangy, and spicy peanut dressing. This Asian-inspired side dish is perfect for a quick summer salad or a light accompaniment to grilled meats or noodle bowls.
Ingredients
Cucumbers:
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Spicy Peanut Sauce:
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons water (to thin the sauce)
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon chopped roasted peanuts
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Chopped fresh cilantro or green onion (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Cucumbers: Place cucumber slices in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Make Spicy Peanut Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, sriracha, garlic, and water until smooth.
- Coat Cucumbers: Toss cucumbers with the peanut sauce until evenly coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer to a serving dish, top with peanuts, sesame seeds, and herbs. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use Persian or English cucumbers.
- Add shredded carrots or bell peppers for color and variety.
- Pairs well with grilled meats or noodle bowls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
